HERKIMER – While recently giving her grandmother a manicure during the first day of this school year’s Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES cosmetology clinic, student Kaitlynn Williams was exactly where she knew she wanted to be when she joined the Cosmetology program.

“That’s why I chose it – because it’s something I love doing,” Williams said, of working in cosmetology in general. “So I know I’ll love my job.”

Salon Illusions, the Herkimer BOCES cosmetology clinic, is open to community members by appointment only from 8:45-11 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Herkimer BOCES William E. Busacker Complex at 352 Gros Blvd. in Herkimer. To make an appointment or for information, call 315-867-2043.

Kaitlynn Williams said the clinic will allow her to work with a variety of customers and will prepare her for her career of working in a salon.

Herkimer BOCES Cosmetology student Kaitlyn Lewis, a senior of Owen D. Young, started off the clinic for the school year by giving a manicure to Ilion resident Carol Moore, who has visited the Salon Illusions in previous years as well.

“I like the services,” Moore said. “I like the way they do everything.”

Lewis wants to become a barber and said the clinic provides a good background for going into that career.

“I feel like it will prepare me to go to barber school,” Lewis said. “It helps with client experience.”